People use their cell phones for a variety of purposes, ranging from taking pictures to playing games. Recent research reveals a number of consumers would also be interested in using their cell phones to monitor their health.

A PricewaterhouseCoopers survey of 2,000 people found that more than 30 percent of consumers would use a cell phone application that would allow them to track and monitor their healthcare. Additionally, 40 percent said they would pay a fee for a service that would allow them to refill medications and access medical records.

PricewaterhouseCoopers leader of health information technology Daniel Garrett says there is a big market for electronic health access.

"There are significant opportunities for physicians, hospitals, health insurers, pharmaceutical companies and medical device manufacturers to market and differentiate themselves using mobile health," says Garrett. "Yet many healthcare organizations are largely ignoring the opportunity to integrate mobile health into other IT efforts such as the implementation of electronic health records."

Consumers can also use their cell phones to find health insurance quotes through their web browser, look for doctors and find other health-related services.

Under the Affordable Care Act, most Americans will be required to have health insurance by 2014. People can already begin researching health insurance quotes online if they are considering purchasing individual health insurance.

In the meantime, many people in the country don't have health insurance. Being uninsured could mean having to suffer with health conditions that could be avoided. To help out this flu season, CVS Caremark and Direct Relief USA are teaming up to offer free flu shots to community clinic and health center patients who are uninsured.

"With every CVS/pharmacy and MinuteClinic location providing flu vaccinations this year, we want to make sure that as many people as possible have access to a flu shot, including patients for whom cost may be a barrier," said CVS Caremark president and COO Larry Merlo.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says everyone over the age of 6 months should be vaccinated against the flu. The best way to prevent the spread of the flu is with a vaccination, according to the CDC. Ear infections and dehydration are just a couple of complications that can arise from the flu.

Preventative care can do more than stop people from coming down with certain conditions, it can save the healthcare system a substantial amount of money.

A paper produced by the National Commission on Prevention Priorities estimates that $3.7 billion could have been saved in 2006 if appropriate measures were taken. The research team analyzed costs of 20 proven preventative measures against the potential savings to derive the figure.

Partnership for Prevention president and CEO Dr. Robert Gould says the research highlights the importance of receiving preventative care.

"By quantifying the many lives saved and high cost-effectiveness of clinical preventive services, our study shows that prevention has really gone the extra mile, meeting a standard rarely met by health treatments," says Gould. "The new health care law appropriately makes these services available for most Americans at lower or no cost, but cost reductions alone won't get us there."

Under healthcare reform, health insurance companies will be required to pay for preventative care services for new health plans on or after September 23 of this year. Individuals considering new plans can start off by geting health insurance quotes online.

In many cases, people think of health insurance quotes, doctors and overall care when they have time to weigh different options. In the event of a natural disaster, such time is a luxury.

After a natural disaster, health professionals have to be screened in advance before they can donate their time. To make the volunteering procedure more streamlined, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response created a database where healthcare professionals can have their credentials approved in advance.

"ESAR-VHP saves time so we can make the most of volunteers' specialized medical skills when hours, even minutes, really matter," says Health and Human Services assistant secretary for preparedness and response Dr. Nicole Lurie. "Volunteering to help those in need during a disaster is an incredible act of compassion, and ESAR-VHP helps us get volunteers in place when they can make the biggest impact."

In the event of a natural disaster, the number of healthcare professionals needed is unknown. Having a database full of volunteers easily accessible can help increase speed and care to those in need.

A lack of health insurance coverage isn't the only barrier people face to getting care. Some people cannot access health services because of transportation.

The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center closed its Braddock branch earlier this year for economic reasons. A slew of complaints came in, saying the closure violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

A large number of those who rely in the hospital for care are African-American and rely on public transportation. Without the UPMC Braddock location being open, residents would be faced with long commutes to neighboring hospitals.

"We recognize that health care institutions are confronted with difficult economic decisions," said U.S. Department of Health and Human Services office of civil rights Director Georgina Verdugo. "However, those decisions must consider the impact on communities and steps must be taken consistent with their obligations under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, to ameliorate that impact."

Having adequate access to health services is crucial to one's well-being as well as the healthcare system. Those who go without care may ultimately end up with a costly condition that could have been prevented if proper measures were taken early on.